His Holiness consecrates chorten and Mandir

Sonam Phuntsho, Samtse
Jan 23, 2016

His Holiness the Je Khenpo consecrated a Sigdok Chorten and Shivalaya Mandir in Samtse, yesterday. Both were built to commemorate the 60th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, last year.

Sigdok Chorten, the marbled stupa was built through contributions from Rabdey, civil servants and Armed Force personnel of Samtse.

The 30-feet stupa, built at a cost of over Nu 7 M, is the first of its kind, carved entirely out of marble in the country. It took less than eight months to complete; and house a Buddha’s relic as one of the Nangtens which was donated by Zhung Dratshang.

In the afternoon, His Holiness the Je Khenpo consecrated the Shivalaya Mandir. The Shivalaya Mandir was rebuilt upon the command of His Majesty the King as a gift to the people of Samtse to commemorate the Royal Wedding and the 60th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.

The Nu 28 M Shivalaya Mandir, built by Rajasthani masons using sandstone imported from Rajasthan, took about 18 months to complete. It houses one of the finest and expensive statues of Lord Shiva, which was also imported from Rajasthan.